Went to pick my car up at the dealer after they replaced the water pump, engine mounts and changed the oil. The CEL was on. It's code P0661. No light (or drivability problems) when I brought it in, but the tech says the light was on when it came into the service bay.

Came home in a loaner while they dig into what's wrong. A search turned up a lot of P0661 posts, most of which are replied to with "Search noob." But does anyone have an idea of how badly I'm likely to get raped and pillaged on this?

Ken

 

Answering my own question: $395.

Searching via Google, I found this very useful/interesting thread.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...ow-2-a-182125/

I'll never know if the valve actually went bad, or if the connector was dirty or got knocked off, but given the electronics in this car it could have been worse.

Ken

 

I just bought a used 8 that through the same code. I tested the SSV valve with a mity-vac and found it to be fine. Mine turned out to be the $90 solenoid. The hardest part of the job is getting the airbox out if its your first time. While I had the UIM off I cleaned up a lot of oily parts as well.

 

looks like Ken's was the same problem.

I'm guessing they charged him $180 for the solenoid and $200 labor to remove the UIM, spend two minutes swapping out the solenoid, and putting the UIM back in.

 

Yep - that's about it. The $395 was the service manager's estimate after they diagnosed it. Final was $312. $155 for the solenoid, two hours labor at $115/hour. Then they took 25% off the total - Memorial day service special.

I don't have a clue about what any of this stuff does. Well, maybe a clue, but not much appreciation for why. I sure miss the days when cars had carburetors and breaker point ignition.

Ken

 

That's not all that bad considering someone else had to do the work.

 

why so much for the solenoid? I picked mine up from rosenthal for $90

 

fwiw advanced sells them for $73.99 w/ lifetime warranty. The brand is Wells

 

Definitely not bad. I'm at the point in age and life where someone else doing the work is worth it. I'm sure I would have blown at least the whole weekend trying to figure it out myself.

On top of that convenience, they gave me a free loaner. Being a regular customer at a competent dealer has its advantages. Getting me hooked via two years of free oil changes has paid off for both of us.

Ken

 

I agree soooo much. I get it for the younger guys and for the one that just love tinkering but I love the way it drives and with my mechanical ability that's the way it should stay. I'm a huge fan of the "pay the man" method of car care....within reason.